Oldest Pinoy war veteran reveals secret to longevity

MANILA, Philippines - How do you live to be 112?

Don’t drink alcohol. Don’t womanize. Pray.

That is the advice of retired T/Sgt. Tranquilino Cabiling, the oldest living war veteran at 112 years.

Cabiling attributes his longevity to clean living and his faith in God.

“Do not forget to pray to God. He can give you a long life,” Cabiling told reporters in Visayan.

“Do not dance with women in the baile. Do not drink. Avoid vices,” he added.

Cabiling was honored during the Army’s 116th anniversary rites yesterday along with officers, reservists and civilians who helped the military in its mission.

President Aquino and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin left their seats to award a plaque of recognition to Cabiling.

Cabiling’s deep love for the military service can be seen in the way he received the mementos given to him by the Army.

When he was given an infantry soldier statue, Cabiling looked at it intently and did not let go of it.

He was also given an Army keychain, which he immediately placed on his belt loop.

The once strong artilleryman who witnessed the historic Leyte landing and survived the infamous Death March can no longer walk without assistance.

Cabiling, however, appears to be very healthy and even bragged to Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes about his complete set of teeth.

“I do not drink. I do not smoke. I do not have vices. I do not eat meat. I only eat fish and root crops,” he said.

Cabiling was born on July 6, 1900 in Barangay Damulaan in Albuera, Leyte. He joined the service on Aug. 3, 1922 and became part of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

Cabiling narrated how he served as a gunner in the artillery division and how he helped shoot down a Japanese aircraft.

He was one of the recipients of a certificate of gratitude issued by then US President Harry Truman on Dec. 31, 1944.

“As one of the nation’s finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform,” the citation read.

“Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.”

Cabiling retired on July 10, 1952 after almost three decades in the service.

He married after the war but eventually separated from his wife. His second wife bore him a daughter, who died in a road accident in 1995.

Now a widower, Cabiling is staying with a group of reservists who saw him following up his pension in Camp Aguinaldo.

Despite his heroism, Cabiling has not received his benefits because he lost his identification card.

“A lawyer promised to help me with my pension documents but the documents he provided were fake,” he said, lamenting the lawyer even charged him a lot for the documents.

Cabiling said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is now helping process his papers.

President Aquino assured the Army on the occasion of its 116th anniversary yesterday that his administration is focused on building minimum credible defense posture.

He said true stability of the military would only come from the people’s trust and confidence in those in authority.

The President said the country’s military must be able to face challenges of modern times.

Aquino joined the Army top brass in honoring the invaluable and excellent contributions of its personnel and civilian stakeholders.   – With Aurea Calica